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Even when the numbers aren’t record-breaking, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson knows how to keep it real. His latest film, The Smashing Machine, opened to a modest $6 million at the domestic box office this past weekend — his lowest debut to date — but Johnson is taking it all in stride with his trademark positivity and humility.

Instead of focusing on the figures, the global superstar turned his attention to what truly mattered to him: the creative journey. In a heartfelt post, Johnson praised the film’s director, Benny Safdie, calling it “an honor to transform in this role and to work alongside you. Thank you, brother, for believing in me. Truth is, this film has changed my life.”

And “transform” he did. Johnson underwent one of the most intense physical and emotional makeovers of his career to portray Mark Kerr, a legendary mixed martial artist whose career soared and stumbled under the weight of fame, addiction, and personal turmoil. Alongside Emily Blunt, who plays Kerr’s partner Dawn Staples, Johnson delivers what critics are calling one of his most raw and grounded performances yet.

While The Smashing Machine might not have smashed the box office, it’s making waves in other ways. The film first drew attention at the Venice Film Festival, where Safdie won Best Director, and early audiences hailed Johnson’s performance as a career-defining turn.

The competition was fierce this weekend, with Taylor Swift’s concert film The Official Release Party of a Showgirl leading the pack with a commanding $33 million domestic debut, plus $13 million internationally. Paul Thomas Anderson’s political satire One Battle After Another claimed the second spot, leaving The Smashing Machine to round out the top three — still ahead of a re-release of Avatar: The Way of Water, the indie horror flick Good Boy, and the Indian epic Kantara: Chapter 1.

For Johnson, however, the box office isn’t the only measure of success. “Every once in a while, you come across a story that hits you deep,” he shared in an interview earlier this month. “This one broke me down and built me back up again.”

Fans and critics alike seem to agree that The Smashing Machine marks a bold and unexpected chapter for the action star — one that trades explosions for emotion and spectacle for soul.

As Johnson himself put it best: “Sometimes, the quiet wins are the ones that last the longest.”